Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.

BELGREEN – Belgreen High School senior Tyler Medina has made it a point to have the best experience he could while he was in high school.

The 17-year-old athlete has been an avid participant in school organizations like Students Against Destructive Decisions, Beautification, Faith Followers, Future Business Leaders of America, student council, the school’s newspaper staff and the fishing team.

He has also thrived as a member of the Belgreen sports community on the basketball, baseball and track teams.

“One of the best things about going to Belgreen besides it being a small school is how everyone really gets into sports and supports our teams,” he said. “We have great community support and its something I’ve really enjoyed about high school.”

Medina has been involved in sports for a long time and said he was glad to have the opportunity to play sports in high school so he could have a chance to indulge in his competitive nature.

“I’ve been playing on the basketball team with the same guys since fifth grade,” Medina said. “We’ve been through a lot together, like going through so many different coaches, but we finally got a good one and I’m really looking forward to my senior basketball season.”

Medina said that once he graduated, he would miss his sports teams, and many of his teachers, but there were a few things he wouldn’t miss, too.

“I’ve gained a lot of responsibility during my time in high school, but I’m not going to miss all the homework there is to do,” he said with a laugh. “And I sure won’t miss waking up so early.”

Once he graduates in May, Medina said he was looking to go to trade school and focus on a career as a pipe fitter.

“I like that trade schools provide more hands-on experience, which is something I’m looking for,” he said. “Being a pipe fitter is something I think I’ll enjoy and be able to do well and I can make good money doing it.”

Medina said he learned about the profession through his girlfriend’s father who is also a pipe fitter.

“I’ve learned that it is a pretty flexible job and hopefully doing that I’ll be able to settle down here in the future,” he said. “I’ve loved growing up in the country and I would love to live on a ranch near Belgreen with a big pond someday and have horses.”

Medina said the years he has spent living in Franklin County have prepared him for life after high school.

“I’ve been around a lot of people, especially older people, at my Pawpaw’s store and I’ve heard a lot of the stories they tell,” he said. “I know that life isn’t always going to be easy and that I’m going to have to work for anything I want. I’m glad I’ve already learned that lessons because there are many adults who still haven’t figured that out.”

Medina said another perk to remaining in the area would be the fact that he would stay close to his family, which includes his parents, Joseph Medina and Stephanie Moore; his siblings, Cheri Gober and Joshua Medina; and his grandparents, Bill and Carolyn Scott.

“I’ve had a good experience growing up in this county and I would just say to anyone that’s younger than me to get a good education and pay attention in school because it’ll be worth it in the long run.”